Western Australia’s reputation as a fertile breeding ground for top class goalkeepers continues with three WA custodians selected as part of a 25 person squad to attend a training camp with the Qantas Next Young Socceroos.
Western Australia-s reputation as a fertile breeding ground for top class goalkeepers continues with three WA custodians selected as part of a 25 person squad to attend a training camp with the Qantas Next Young Socceroos.
Alex Person, a Glory-s Youth Team player, and Nicholas Feely, who is currently in the extended Youth Team squad for this season, have been selected alongside Mark Birighitti who is contracted to Adelaide United.
The three boys have been chosen by Qantas Next Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen for the training camp, which will be held in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation U19 Youth Championships.
The training camp will take place in Sydney from Monday 29 June to Thursday 2 July, and the boys will train alongside 25 of the best players in Australia in the U19 age group.
Versleijen is looking forward to working with these new players and has high hopes that most of them will be in the team competing to qualify for the 2011 U20 FIFA World Cup.
“This is a new start for a new group of players that will now begin a two-year campaign to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup,” Versleijen said.
Football West Education and Development Manager Andrew Bettell said it is another strong tick of support for the programmes in place to develop goal keepers in WA.
“It is always fantastic to see WA players make it into the national side, and these boys have had plenty of experience in competitive football within WA. Playing and training with the Next Young Socceroos will be a fantastic opportunity and experience for all three of these players,” Mr Bettell said.
The ASEAN Football Federation U19 Youth Championships will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from 4-16 August 2009. For more information, see the FFA website, www.footballaustralia.com.au
For information about Football West development programs and the National Training Centre program, see the Football West website: www.footballwest.com.au